Mayfield rejects planned mosque

ACLU investigates decision by board

Aug. 26, 2010

Written by

From Staff and Wire Reports

MAYFIELD, Ky. — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky says it is trying to get more information about this Western Kentucky city's rejection of a petition by a group of Somalis to build a mosque.

The Mayfield Board of Zoning Adjustment cited a lack of parking as the reason for Tuesday’s decision, which The Paducah Sun reported was cheered by more than 250 residents.

William Sharp of the ACLU said his organization is looking into how the procedures were followed by the board. He also cited concern about “anti-religious sentiments voiced by members of the public immediately prior to the committee's decision.”

Board member Don Simpkins said previous permits have been issued for churches in the area, but services there usually were limited to Sundays and evenings on Wednesday. He said Muslims generally pray throughout the business day and week.

Owners of nearby businesses said they feared the worshipers would take up limited parking in the area.

City Planner Brad Rodgers said the Somali group can appeal to circuit court or could petition to open a mosque at a shopping center with more parking.

No one representing the mosque was in the meeting room — which was packed to overflowing — to discuss the project.

The Paducah Sun and WPSD-TV reported they did come but initially were denied entrance because the room was full and officers did not realize they were there to represent the project. When the mistake was recognized, officials searched for them outside the building but could not find them, according to the reports.

Jeff Keith, youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Mayfield, said he hoped a solution could be found because he did not want the Somalis to feel unwelcome.

He said later in a Courier-Journal interview that some residents might be affected by the emotional atmosphere generated in recent months regarding a proposed Islamic center near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York, which Islamic extremists demolished in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

About 150 Somalis moved to Mayfield a year ago to work at the Pilgrim's Pride chicken plant in Hickory.

Keith said he hoped the community would get to know their Somali neighbors.

“Mayfield, Ky., is a very neighborly area,” he said. The gaps could be bridged, he said, when people show love “when we see them at Walmart and people walking down the street.”

Terry Taylor, executive director of the Louisville-based Interfaith Paths to Peace, which is offering to set up educational programs on Islam for any religious or civic group seeking it, said he was concerned about the news.

“You can't have things where zoning doesn't permit, but hopefully this is not a sign that a mosque cannot be built in that community,” he said. “My hope is that the people of Mayfield and other places would welcome our Muslim brothers and sisters.”